Towing tackle

ABSTRACT

This invention provides an improved piece of towing tackle especially useful in marine towing applications. A slotted skirt device is fitted over the tow line and a hinged wedge stop is clamped about the line and inserted in a recess in the slotted skirt to secure the latter to the tow line. The skirt carries a rotating bearing collar with a towing bail attached thereto.

GR 305689623 5R Robert H. Gustavson Inventors Lynn Haven; BernardDeleman, Panama City, Fla. Appl. No. 844,819 Filed July 25,1969 PatentedMar. 9, 1971 Assignee the United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Navy TOWING TACKLE 11 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 114/235 Int. Cl 1363b 21/00 Field ofSearch 114/235,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,209,718 lO/l965 Ratheretal. l14/235(.2F)

3,375,800 4/1968 Coleetal Primary Examiner-Trygve M. BlixAttorneys-Louis A. Miller, Don D. Doty and William T.

Skeer ABSTRACT: This invention provides an improved piece of towingtackle especiE lmffliH'm'afiH'to'wirig'iifiilicationsi Kslb'ii'dliifd6vi'ih'iid'fiveitiie'towflineaiida hinged wedge stop is clamped aboutthe line and inserted in a recess in the slotted skirt to secure thelatter to the tow line. The skirt carries a rotating bearing collar witha towing mama thereto ....i. n..r..,,. M-M' PATENTED m 9197! SHEET 1 OF2 ROBERT H. GUSTNSON 8ERNARD DELE'MAN INVENTORS mam/f PATENTED MAR 9 amSHEET 2 OF 2 mam m4? waw 0,

m M "W M M EN M BR I 0 RM n 1 rowmc TACKLE STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENTINTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and 5BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to the field ofmarine or oceanographic engineering. In particular, the inventionpertains to the fields of endeavor where an object is towed aft of asuitable draft vehicle, such as a surface vessel or a low flyingaircraft. More particularly, the invention pertains toan improved pieceof towing tackle.

In many marine applications, such as fishing or minesweeping operations,it is desirable to tow objects from a cable which is diverted to theside of the tractor vehicle conducting the tow. In many instances it isdesired to tow a plurality of objects from a single diverted cable byattaching the objects thereto at intermediate points between the distaland bitter ends thereof. Such attachments are made by securing towingbridles to the diverted cable by suitable tackle carried by the divertedcable at the desired points ther'ealong.

A wide variety of types of prior art tackle have been employed in thepast to secure the towing bridles to the diverted wire. In general, theprior art tackle includes links, sheaves, snap hooks,'rope ties, andetc. Those familiar with the prior art will recognize that a greatnumber of possible combinations of these prior art tackle elements maybe constructed to constitute the tow assembly. It is not purposed todiscuss the limitations specific to each of these combinations ofelements, but some general observations concerning prior art limitationsare in order to better appreciate the instant invention.

The primary disadvantage to connections made with fixed links is theinability of such devices to be pulled through the sheaves or other linehandling gear. This requirespersonnel to be deployed over the side toattach the bridles to the diverted tow line, clearly undesirable inhostile waters and impossible in the case of aircraft tows. Further, thedevelopment of the rigid or fixed links to marry the bridle to thediverted cable has resulted in a rather large piece of tackle. The largesize is cumbersome to handle, especially when working over the side, andobviously inefficient to tow.

During towing operations, the diverted cable experiences considerablevariations in tension loading. These tensional variations are occasionedby the towed apparatus striking objects or altering their dragproperties, or by the normal variations caused by the otter used todivert the cable. As will be appreciated by those familiar with marinetowing operations, the tensional variations cause a twisting action tooccur along the diverted cable. This twisting or torsional movement ofthe diverted cable causes certain of the towing bridles to wind aboutthe diverted cable. Among the tackle types so affected are the rigidlink type, the rope ties, and any other without provisions for isolatinglongitudinal torsional movement occurring in the diverted cable. Theinability to isolate this torsional movement results in additionalloading and strain placed on the cable in addition to the obvioustendency to cause fouling of the towing bridles.

In some types of prior art tackle the towing bridles have been securedto the diverted cable by means of a piece of tackle permitting a rotarymovement, such as a pulley, to allow the bridle to traverse a short oflength of the diverted cable and isolate the aforediscussed torsionalmovement of the diverted cable. Such devices, however, require two rigidstop members to be placed on theldiverted cable for each tow bridle andthereby cause additional nonconformities along the length of thediverted cable. Too, such tackle arrangements are subject to vibrationsand thereby cause additional wear and fatigue on the cable, especiallywhen operating on the surface.

25 It is a further object of this invention to provid the -passage'ofsaid tow cable with the bridle attac e Rope ties and splices, aside fromthe torsional limitations, are too time consuming to install to maketheir use practicable where a limited time is available to stream andrecover the gear.

Snap hooks, while easily and quickly installed, are limited in theirrated load capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 10 This invention provides a piece of marinetackle, e.g., cable connector or fastener, to be attached to a divertedtow cable which is strong to permit the support of heavy towed loads, issmall to permit passage through the normal sheaves and deck rollersthereby permitting shipboard installation and removal,

is designed to be quickly attached and removed, and is designed toisolate torsional movement occurring in the diverted cable fromreachingthe towed load support thereby. The invention may be used in otherfields where it is desired to join tow cables or wires. The inventionalso, of course, em-

braces the novel components described in connection therewith and theimproved method of operation made possible thereby.

In consideration of the foregoing it is an object of this invention toprovide an improved marine towing device.

e an i m d t o is qlfatleft e proved item gf l'llg litle towing t a ckleconstructe torsional movemen d e tion ""''A still further ob ect of thisinvention is the provision of an improved item of marine towing tacklewhich permits the attachment of towing b ri dle s to a diverted towcable on shipboard a n d prior to streaming the Yet another object ofthe present invention is the provision fan improved item ofmarine towingtackle which effectively use tdwiiig bridle divertedtowcable withoutimpairin through conventionaljcab l e hattq 18992? IRE- ""Stillanoth'erobject of this invention is the provision of an improved piece of marinetqt ing tacklewhichwillpermit the M 40 c mentotan auxi iary..toflilglillilq3?WEI" w g a aggpgjllt t mediate its extremities with aminiir'ilum expenij diture of ti power.

Oiha bjects an y of tli"attendant advantages will be readily appreciatedas the subject invention becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description,

when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 5 is a bottom elevation of theskirt component of the invention; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are bottom and end elevations, respectively, of the wedgecomponent of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIG. 1., thereis shown, in plan view, a surface vessel 11 which has attached thereto adiverted cable 12. The diversion of cable 12 to one side of the courseof vessel ll is accomplished by means of an otter 13 attached at thedistal end thereof. Diverted cable 12 is secured at the bitter end sosome suitable purchase, not shown, on board vessel 12 to be used instreaming and paying out cable 12. As will be readily apparent to aperson versed in the art, such an arrangement is conventional and neednot be described in further detail herein.

b it is attac e it should, however, be noted that whereas the inventionis herein described as being used in connection with a surface ship itis applicable with other types of tractor vehicles as well. For example,the device may also be used to good advantage with aircraft towvehicles, particularly rotary wing aircraft.

At intermediate point along diverted cable 12, individual units oftowing tackle 14, the subject of this invention, are attached. Attachedto each piece of improved towing tackle 14 is a towing bridle 15 whichtows a suitable load, are represented by floats 16. It should beunderstood that floats 16 constitute only an exemplary load and may bereplaced by suitable minesweeping gear or fishing apparatus as desired.For purposes of utilitarian completeness, floats 16 may house acousticor electromagnetic generators for sweeping influence marine mines.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the improved towing tackle 14 of theinvention is shown attached to diverted cable 12 but devoid of otherattaching prior art structure. Such a simplified illustration permitsone to readily see that tackle 14 comprises a wedge member 17, a skirtportion 18, a collar 19 and a towing bail 21. These assembled views willenable one to better understand the functions of the individualcomponents as they are described with reference to the remaining F IGS.

Referring to FIG. 4 it is seen that towing bail 21 comprises twoidentical biflex arms 22 which lie in mutual contact along a first endportion thereof, diverge between their two bends, and are parallel toone another and spaced apart at their other ends, thereby forming abifurcated assembly. Through their contacting end portions, arms 22 arepierced by a passage 23. Suitable shackle means or threaded fastenermeans, not shown, secure arms 22 into a unitary assembly. A protrudingcylindrical pin 24 is affixed to each of the spaced apart ends of arms22. Pins 24 are positioned on their respective arms 22 in such a fashionthat they are coaxial and face one another across the bifurcated spaceof towing bail 21 when arms 22 are united.

The contiguous faces of arms 22 may be figured so as to interlock attheir first ends, if desired. Such a construction provides additionalproof against angular separation about the axis of passage 23. Shouldsuch a construction be employed, it is desirable that the interlockingfitting by symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of arms 22 so thatthey may be identically fashioned thereby reducing the number ofdifferent parts that are required to assemble each unit of tackle 14. Inpractice this has not been necessary for the normal surface or shallowtows, however, for pelagic tows such additional dimensional stabilitymay be desirable.

Still referring to FIG. 4, collar 19 is seen to comprise two hingedlyjoined semicylindrical segments 25 26. The two segments 25 and 26 arefastened by a hinge pin 27 about which they rotate. Hinge pin 17 may bea loose or finger fit or it may be secured to one of the segments.Segments 25 and 26 meet at a common interface which, like the first endsof arms 22, may be figured, if desired. A suitable threaded fastener 28secures segments 25 and 26 together about a cylindrical axial aperturehaving an inwardly facing bearing surface 29. A recess 31 in segment 26provides access to the tool engaging end of fastener 28 while a threadedhole 32 provides suitable engagement with the threaded end thereof.Diametrically opposed, coaxial cylindrical apertures 33 extend throughsegments 25 and 26 and receive pins 24 therewithin to permit assembledtowing bail 21 to be supported for pendulous movement about collar 19.

Skirt portion 18 is illustrated in detail at FIG. 5. A slot 34 extendsthe length of the skirt portion 18 and communicates with a cylindricalaxial bore 35. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the width of slot 34 anddiameter of bore 35 are chosen to be approximately the same dimension asthe diameter of diverted cable 12.

At the forward end of skirt portion 18, a cylindrical bearing surface 36is flanked by two transverse circumferential lands 37. The diameter ofbearing surface 36 is chosen so as to provide a bearing contact withbearing surface 29 of collar 19. The height of lands 37 relative tobearing surface 36 is chosen such that it is in excess of the distancebetween bearing surface 29 and hinge pin 27 ofcollar 19.

A hollow pocket 38 is located in the aft end of skirt portion 18. Pocket38 is generally shaped as the frustum of a cone with the apex endforward most. The forward end of pocket 38 is radiused into cylindricalbore 35 to provide a smooth transition from one surface to the other.Skirt portion 18 has, at the aft end, a flared wall 39, so as to providea uniformly strong wall for pocket 38.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the details of the construction of wedgemember 17 will now be described. Like collar 19, wedge member 17 iscomprised by two hinged wedge segments 41 and 42. Segments 41 and 42 arejoined by a hinge pin 43 to pivot thereabout. Pin 43 may beadvantageously peened or otherwise made fast to segment 41 to form, whenassembled to segment 42, a unitary structure. Segments 41 and 42 areshaped so as to provide, when closed, an elliptical passage 44 extendingthrough the entire length of wedge member 17. The major transverse axisof passage 44 is of the same magnitude as the diameter of diverted cable12, while the minor axis is somewhat less. The outer surface of wedge 17has a protruberant ridge 45 which partially surrounds pin 43. Except forthe surface irregularity presented by ridge 45, wedge member 17 is ofthe shape of the frustum of a cone, having the same slope as pocket 38but of somewhat larger dimensions.

The individual parts may be made of any suitable material suitable forexposure to the harsh environmental conditions to which marine tackle iscommonly exposed. Good results have been experienced by making wedgemember 17 of a relative soft metal, such as bronze, so as to not damagecable 12, and the remaining components of stainless steel. Surfaces 29and 36 may be treated to improve their bearing properties as by coatingwith suitable materials to improve their cooperation, as will be madeclear in connection with the description of the mode of operation of thepreferred embodiment. In practice, however, the stainless steel fromwhich each has been made performs satisfactorily when lubricated withsea water.

The foregoing description of the component parts is, of course, subjectto modification within the normal recognized range of mechanicalequivalents. Such changes may be incorporated at the discretion of theproficient artisan, providing that they do not alter the cooperation ofthe individual elements. As an example of such envisioned modification,fastener 28 might be secured to segment 26 by a circumferential groovein the shank thereof cooperating with a fixed pin in segment 26. As willbe better appreciated in connection with the reading of the mode ofoperation of the preferred embodiment, such departures from theaforedescribed exemplary embodiment does not alter the cooperation ofthe individual elements or impair their individual performance.

MODE OF OPERATION The operation of applicants invention departs from theprior art streaming and recovery of towed gear in the fashion thattowing bridle 15 is joined to diverted cable 12 and the location atwhich the attachment is normally made. Both of the differences aredirectly attributable to applicants improved device and constituteprofound improvements belying the simplicity of construction of thedevice making them possible.

When it is desired to stream gear from vessel 11, diverted cable 12 ispayed out from a suitable storage reel or drum and attached, outboard ofthe deck handling sheaves, rollers, or other cable handling and guidingapparatus. Cable 12 is payed out until the position at which it isdesired to attached the outermost towing bridle 15 is positioned at aconvenient working position on the deck of vessel 11.

The attachment of bridle 15 to diverted cable 12 begins byprepositioning bridle 15 outboard of the vessel 11 and back through thecable guiding apparatus, so as to lie alongside of diverted cable 12.When diverted cable 12 is stopped with the attachment point positionedat a convenient work station, as

noted above, wedge member 17 is placed on cable 12 with the small endforward and then closed about cable 12. Skirt portion 18 is then placedon diverted cable 12 forward of wedge member 17 by passing cable 12through slot 34 until it fits within bore 35. Skirt portion 18 is fittedwith the aft end with pocket 38 facing the small end of wedge member 17with ridge 415 aligned with slot 34 and driven aft thereupon to closewedge member 17 on cable 12. Because of the size of the minor axis ofelliptical passage 44, wedge member 17 then grips cable 12 tightly as aresult of the closing action of pocket 3 on wedge member 17. Thefrictional fit between wedge member 17 and skirt 18 together with theinterference fit between ridge 45 and slot 34 result in skirt potion 18being torsionally coupled to diverted cable 12.

Collar 19 is placed about skirt portion 18 between lands 37 with bearingsurfaces 29 and 36 in contact. Fastener 28 is tightened to secure collar19 about skirt portion 18; When tightened in position there is stillclearance to permit relative sliding rotation between skirt portion 18and collar 19. This freedom of movement permits the torsionallyintroduced movement of diverted cable 12 from being transmitted to towedfloat 16 or other towed apparatus. Pin 27 is retained, where it is aloose fit, by lands 37.

Arms 22 are positioned with pins 24 inserted into aperture 33. Theassembly of towing bail 21 and collar 19 is made rigid by passing asuitable fastener, which may be a part of towing bridle 15, throughaligned passages 23.

Additional length of cable lZ'is then payed out until the position wherea second bridle is desired to be fastened is positioned over the workingposition on the deck of vessel 11 and the attachment steps are repeated.

As line 12 is payed out the towing tackle 14 of the invention passesthroughthe cable handling apparatus carrying with it towing bridle 15.The hydrodynamic drag caused by towing float 16 causes skirt portion 18to be pulled back on wedge member 17 to effect an increased gripingaction on cable 12.

Upon recovery, disassembly proceedswith a reversal of the steps used inattachment. A blow with a mallet or other appropriate tool willgenerally suffice to free skirt portion 18 from wedge member 17. Afterdisassembly the component parts of towing tackle 14 may be convenientlystored aboard vessel 1 1.

From the foregoing description it may be readily seen that applicantshave produced an improved piece of towing tackle which performs in animproved fashion to meet the objects of invention. Further, that thisdevice, although of simple construction, was unknown prior to thedisclosure herein presented and, accordingly unobvious to a personfamiliar with the pertinent technical fields encompassed thereby.However, the foregoing disclosure taken together with the appendeddrawings and claims constitutes a disclosure sufficient to permit suchan artisan to make and use the device and to perform the improved methodof marine towing made possible thereby.

. Weclaim:

1. An improved towing tackle for attaching a pendant line ,or towingbridle to a diverted tow cable comprising in comination:

, wedge means for gripping said diverted cable; 2 skirt means adaptedfor fitting about said diverted cable and enclosing said wedge means, soas to close it upon said cable and be supportedthereby; collar meansrotatably supported by said skirt means so as to be independent ofmotion of said skirt means arising from torsional forces within saiddiverted cable; and towing bail means supported by said collar means andattached thereto for pendulous movement relative thereto and adapted toreceive said towing bridle or pendant line. 2. An improved towing tackleaccording to claim 1 in which said towing bail'comprises two identicalbiflex arms with collar means engaging pins on one end thereof and anaperture on the other end for engaging said towing bridle.

3. An improved towing tackle according to claim I in which said wedgemeans is made of a material having a hardness less than that of saiddiverted cable.

4. An improved towing tackle according to claim 1 in which said wedgemeans comprises two segments hingedly secured together to form afrustoconical body portion.

5. An improved towing tackle according to claim 4 in which said wedgesegments, when closed, enclose an elliptically cross-sectional passagehaving a major axis of the same length as the diameter of said divertedcable.

6. An improved towing tackle according to claim 1 in which said skirtmeans includes a longitudinal slot communicating with a central boreeach being slightly larger in width than the diameter of said divertedcable.

7. An'improved towing tackle according to claim 6 in which said centralbore communicate with a coaxial pocket of frustoconical shape located inthe aft end thereof and positioned with the frustum face facing forward.

8. An improved towing tackle according to claim 6 in which said skirtmeans has at its forward end two raised lands extending laterally andcircumferentially about said skirt means and spaced longitudinally fromeach other with an outwardly cylindrically shaped bearing surfaceextending therebetween.

9. An improved towing tackle according to claim 1 in which said collarmeans comprises two hinged, semicircular segments joined together atone-side thereof by a hinge pin and at the other side by a mechanicalfastener.

10. An improved towing tackle according to claim 9 in which saidsemicircular segments enclose an internally facing, cylindrical bearingsurface.

11. An improved towing tackle for joining a towing bridle of apendant'tow to a diverted tow cable comprising in combination:

wedge means comprising two interfitting segments made of a softermaterial than that of said diverted tow cable and shaped so as to form afrustoconical wedge with an elliptical passage therethrough wheninterfitted; first hinge means joining said segments together as aunitary assembly and lying in a longitudinally extending ridge along thesurface of said frustoconical wedge, so as to permit said wedge tobe-closed about said diverted cable in gripping engagement therewith;skirt means having a frustoconically shaped pocket extending from oneend thereinto and shaped to be complementary to the shape of said wedgemeans and communicating with an axially extending bore piercing saidskirt means longitudinally to the opposite end thereof, both said boreand said pocket communicating to the lateral surface via alongitudinally extending slot of suitable dimensions to permit the skirtmeans to be placed over said diverted cable and positioned to receivesaid wedge means within said pocket with said ridge extending into saidslot for preventing relative rotation therebetween;

cylindrical bearing surface means carried by said skirt means at saidother end thereof and facing outwardly therefrom; two land meanssupported by said skirt means and extending outwardly therefrom oneither side of said cylindrical bearing surface so as to provide stopmeans on either side thereof;

collar means comprising two segments located between said two land meanshaving a centrally facing bearing surface cooperating with saidcylindrical bearing surface means for rotation of said collar about thelongitudinal axis of said skirt means;

second hinge means joining said collar segments to make a unitarystructure thereof and located at least partially in the space locatedbetween said land means, so as to be longitudinally positioned therebyand effective to permit said collar means to be removably mounted onsaid skirt means;

fastener means for securing said collar segments together in positionabout said skirt means;

said arms thereby and aligned passage means in the other end of each ofsaid arms for receipt of suitable fastener means to secure said armstogether to form a unitary structure and for support of a towed loadthereby.

1. An improved towing tackle for attaching a pendant line or towingbridle to a diverted tow cable comprising in combination: wedge meansfor gripping said diverted cable; skirt means adapted for fitting aboutsaid diverted cable and enclosing said wedge means, so as to close itupon said cable and be supported thereby; collar means rotatablysupported by said skirt means so as to be independent of motion of saidskirt means arising from torsional forces within said diverted cable;and towing bail means supported by said collar means and attachedthereto for pendulous movement relative thereto and adapted to receivesaid towing bridle or pendant line.
 2. An improved towing tackleaccording to claim 1 in which said towing bail comprises two identicalbiflex arms with collar means engaging pins on one end thereof and anaperture on the other end for engaging said towing bridle.
 3. Animproved towing tackle according to claim 1 in which said wedge means ismade of a material having a hardness less than that of said divertedcable.
 4. An improved towing tackle according to claim 1 in which saidwedge means comprises two segments hingedly secured together to form afrustoconical body portion.
 5. An improved towing tackle according toclaim 4 in which said wedge segments, when closed, enclose anelliptically cross-sectional passage having a major axis of the samelength as the diameter of said diverted cable.
 6. An improved towingtackle according to claim 1 in which said skirt means includes alongitudinal slot communicating with a central bore each being slightlylarger in width than the diameter of said diverted cable.
 7. An improvedtowing tackle according to claim 6 in which said central borecommunicate with a coaxial pocket of frustoconical shape located in theaft end thereof and positioned with the frustum face facing forward. 8.An improved towing tackle according to claim 6 in which said skirt meanshas at its forward end two raised lands extending laterally andcircumferentially about said skirt means and spaced longitudinally fromeach other with an outwardly cylindrically shaped bearing surfaceextending therebetween.
 9. An improved towing tackle according to claim1 in which said collar means comprises two hinged, semicircular segmentsjoined together at one side thereof by a hinge pin and at the other sideby a mechanical fastener.
 10. An improved towing tackle according toclaim 9 in which said semicircular segments enclose an internallyfacing, cylindrical bearing surface.
 11. An improved towing tackle forjoining a towing bridle of a pendant tow to a diverted tow cablecomprising in combination: wedge means comprising two interfittingsegments made of a softer material than that of said diverted tow cableand shaped so as to form a frustoconical wedge with an ellipticalpassage therethrough when interfitted; first hinge means joining saidsegments together as a unitary assembly and lying in a longitudinallyextending ridge along the surface of said frustoconical wedge, so as topermit said wedge to be closed about said diverted cable in grippingengagement therewith; skirt means having a frustoconically shaped pocketextending from one end thereinto and shaped to be complementary to theshape of said wedge means and communicating with an axially extendingbore piercing said skirt means longitudinally to the opposite endthereof, both said bore and said pocket communicating to the lateralsurface via a longitudinally extending slot of suitable dimensions topermit the skirt means to be placed over said diverted cable andpositioned to receive said wedge means within said pocket with saidridge extending into said slot for preventing relative rotationtherebetween; cylindrical bearinG surface means carried by said skirtmeans at said other end thereof and facing outwardly therefrom; two landmeans supported by said skirt means and extending outwardly therefrom oneither side of said cylindrical bearing surface so as to provide stopmeans on either side thereof; collar means comprising two segmentslocated between said two land means having a centrally facing bearingsurface cooperating with said cylindrical bearing surface means forrotation of said collar about the longitudinal axis of said skirt means;second hinge means joining said collar segments to make a unitarystructure thereof and located at least partially in the space locatedbetween said land means, so as to be longitudinally positioned therebyand effective to permit said collar means to be removably mounted onsaid skirt means; fastener means for securing said collar segmentstogether in position about said skirt means; aperture means extendingdiametrically through said collar means, so as to provide mountingsurfaces thereon; and towing bail means comprising two identical biflexarms having a pin mounted on one end of each of said arms and extendinginto said aperture means for pendulous support of said arms thereby andaligned passage means in the other end of each of said arms for receiptof suitable fastener means to secure said arms together to form aunitary structure and for support of a towed load thereby.